Friday, April 28, 2017

Saying he could not stomach the illegal activities of his colleagues, which included extrajudicial killings and the planting of evidence, a policeman in Catanduanes tendered his resignation, GMA News' Raffy Tima reported on 24 Oras on Friday.

In his resignation letter, PO1 Vincent Tacorda said: "I have tried my best to deliver what is expected from a police officer. It is just sad and with great dismay that the same organization did not do me the justice I expect to be accorded in return of my zeal and fervor for public service."

But in a phone interview, Tacorda said one of the reasons for his resignation was the "pressure" he is getting from his colleagues.

He said he had been ordered to shoot suspects by his superior, who allegedly told him Catanduanes was lagging behind in the government's campaign against illegal drugs, which has been blamed for thousands of deaths of drug suspects.

Tacorda, moreover, narrated how former Catanduanes Police chief Jesus Martirez allegedly ordered them not to declare the amount and worth of seized illegal drugs during operations if it is too huge.

Tacorda said he was told the undeclared cash would be use to augment the police organization's funds for its operations.

Martirez has not responded yet to Tacorda's revelations, the report said.

Meanwhile, the PNP Region 5 said Tacorda should prove first his allegations before bringing them up to the media.

"Airing their grievances to the media is apparently a Conduct Unbecoming of Police Officer. Applying the general rule, 'He who assert, not who denies must prove', it is the burden on the part of the accuser to provide evidence in order to substantiate their claim," Police Senior Inspector Malu Calubaquib said.

Moreover, Catanduanes Police Provincial Office director Jeffrey Fernandez said Tacorda should show evidence that will support his accusations against the police.

"Ipaabot niya sa proper forum ang ebidensya niya," Fernandez said.

Fernandez also noted that Tacorda should also follow orders whenever they would be deployed to other place.

Tacorda admitted that he was disheartened when he was assigned to Albay province despite his good record.